Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Celebrating 20 Years of Advocacy: Honoring Nearly 200 Champions

2005 – 2024 Conference Honorees & Keynote Speakers

Posted on August 26, 2024

This year, as we gather to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), we reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us here. For over two decades, our International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conferences have honored nearly 200 champions, advocates, and pioneers who have dedicated themselves to the fight against asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases. These conferences have served as a platform to unite voices worldwide, fostering a shared commitment to education, prevention, and policy change.

From our first gathering in Washington, D.C., in 2005 to this year’s milestone conference, we have been privileged to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations whose contributions have made our mission possible. The distinguished honorees of the Dr. Irving Selikoff Award, Tribute of Unity Award, Tribute of Hope Award, Tribute of Inspiration Award, Warren Zevon Keep Me in Your Heart Award, and the Alan Reinstein Award have exemplified the courage, dedication, and compassion needed to drive meaningful change.

We have also been honored to welcome keynote speakers who have inspired us with their wisdom, leadership, and unwavering commitment to public health. From leading experts like Dr. David Michaels and Dr. Richard Lemen to tireless advocates like Patrick J. Morrison and Pat Martin, their voices have echoed across the halls of Congress, global platforms, and community gatherings.

Our journey would not be possible without the collaboration and support of the organizations and individuals who have stood beside us. Through groundbreaking research, advocacy, legislative efforts, and grassroots mobilization, each of our honorees has played a vital role in advancing our mission to prevent asbestos exposure and eliminate asbestos-related diseases.

The ADAO community is not just a collection of individuals and organizations but a unified force built on the strength of shared struggle, the power of art and advocacy, and a relentless pursuit of justice. As we honor those who have been instrumental in this fight, we are reminded that our work is far from over. With gratitude, we acknowledge the enduring partnerships and collective efforts that have brought us to this 20th-anniversary milestone. Unity and collaboration give us strength and hope for the future.

Together, we look ahead with renewed determination to create a safer, asbestos-free world. We sincerely thank every honoree, keynote speaker, and participant who has made this work possible. Your dedication has saved lives, influenced policy, and inspired countless others to join the movement. We are proud to stand united with you as we continue this vital journey.

Thank you, each and every one of you, for your unwavering commitment and for being the driving force behind ADAO’s work for the past 20 years. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for your support.

Team ADAO

ADAO International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conferences
2024 – Washington, D.C.
2023 – Washington, D.C.
2022 – (Hybrid)
2021 – (Live Streaming)
2019 – Washington, D.C.
2018 – Washington, D.C.
2017 – Washington, D.C.
2016 – Washington, D.C.
2015 – Washington, D.C.
2014 – Washington, D.C.
2013 – Washington, D.C.
2012 – Manhattan Beach, CA
2011 – Atlanta, GA
2010 – Chicago, IL
2009 – Manhattan Beach, CA
2008 – Detroit, MI
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
2006 – New York City, NY
2005 – Washington, DC

2005 – 2024 Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Conferences Honorees & Keynote Speakers

The Dr. Irving Selikoff Award

2024 | Andy Oberta
2023 | Dr. Henry Anderson
2022 | Dr. Andrea Wolf
2021 | Dr. Jacqueline M. Moline
2019 | Dr. Eula Bingham
2019 | Dr. Daniela Degiovanni
2019 | Dr. Steven Markowitz
2018 | Jock McCulloch, honored posthumously
2018 | Dr. Jukka Takala
2017 | Dr. Raja Flores
2017 | Dr. Marie-Claude Jaurand
2017 | Dr. Bruce Robinson
2016 | Dr. Phillip Landrigan
2016 | Dr. L. Christine Oliver
2015 | Dr. Jorma Rantanen
2014 | Dr. David Egilman
2014 | Dr. Ken Takahashi
2013 | Dr. Celeste Monforton
2012 | Dr. Arthur Frank
2012 | Dr. Richard Lemen
2011 | Dr. Guadalupe Aguilar Madrid
2010 | Dr. Hedy Kindler
2009 | Dr. Stephen Levin
2008 | Dr. Barry Castleman
2007 | Dr. Michael Harbut
2006 | Dr. Paul Brodeur
2006 | Dr. Yasunosuke Suzuki

The Tribute of Unity Award

2024 | Less Cancer
2023 | International Association of Fire Fighters
2022 | Rory O’Neill
2021 | American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
2019 | ADAO Conference Honorees from 2005 – 2018
2018 | The Environmental Working Group (EWG)
2017 | Associação Brasileira Dos Expostos Ao Amianto (ABREA)
2016 | Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
2015 | American Public Health Association (APHA)
2014 | National Association for the Defense of Asbestos Victims (Andeva)
2013 | International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
2012 | Associazione Familiari Vittime Amianto (AFEVA)
2011 | Environmental Information Association
2010 | Center of Asbestos Related Disease (CARD)
2009 | Peg Seminario, AFL/CIO
2008 | Canadian Auto Workers
2007 | Patrick Martin, Member of Canadian Parliament
2006 | James Fite
2005 | Laurie Kazan-Allen

Tribute of Hope Award

2024 | Congressman Don Bacon
2023 | American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
2022 | Vicky Franzinetti
2022 | Congressman Paul Tonko
2022 | Congressman John Shimkus (retired)
2019 | Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
2018 | Senator Jeff Merkley
2018 | Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
2017 | Senator Jon Tester
2016 | The Collegium Ramazzini
2015 | International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig)
2014 | Congressman Henry Waxman
2013 | Congresswoman Lois Capps
2012 | Congressman Steve Cohen
2011 | Senator Max Baucus
2010 | Senator Richard Durbin
2009 | Senator Barbara Boxer
2008 | Dr. Aubrey Miller
2007 | Senator Patty Murray
2006 | Senator Harry Reid
2005 | Gayla Benefield

Tribute of Inspiration Award

2024 | Plaintiff Asbestos Litigation Seminar (PALS)
2023 | AFL-CIO
2022 | ADAO v. EPA Co-Plaintiffs
2021 | Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act Supporters
2019 | The Canadian Ban Asbestos Heroes: Victims, Activists, Trade Unions, and Lawmakers
2018 | Patrick J. Morrison, International Association of Fire Fighters
2017 | Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
2016 | Earl Dotter
2015 | The Brazilian Labour Public Ministry
2014 | Bill Ravanesi
2013 | Karen Banton
2012 | Joel Shufro
2011 | Sugio Furuya
2010 | Fernanda Ginnasi
2009 | Pralhad Malvadkar
2009 | Raghunath Manwar
2008 | John Thayer
2007 | Paul and Michelle Zygielbaum
2006 | The Honorable Chuck Strahl, Member of Parliament, Canada,
2005 | Jill Vaughn

Warren Zevon Keep Me in Your Heart Award

2021 | Judd Apatow
2018 | Linda Reinstein
2017 | Quincy Jones
2016 | Clarence Borel, honored posthumously
2015 | Troi Atkinson
2014 | Congressman Bruce Vento, honored posthumously
2013 | Jordan Zevon
2012 | Actor Steve McQueen, honored posthumously
2011 | Ron Cyrus, honored posthumously
2010 | Army Archerd, honored posthumously

The Alan Reinstein Award

2024 | Patrick J. Morrison, International Association of Fire Fighters
2024 | The Duran Family
2023 | Chris Carberg
2023 | Martin Ditkof
2022 | Inácio Teixera
2022 | Laura Baker
2021 | Barry Robson
2021 | Robert Sussman
2019 | Harminder Bains
2019 | Courtney Davis
2019 | Conor Lewis and Zack Johnson
2019 | Daniel Lambo
2019 | Paolo Monico
2018 | Daniel Pineda González
2018 | Eric Jonckheere
2018 | Annamarie Kearns
2018 | Rachel Shaneyfelt, honored posthumously
2017 | The Dioguardi Family
2017 | The Mattmuller Family
2016 | The Amento Family
2016 | Christine Winter
2015 | Ellen Patton
2014 | Janelle Bedel, honored posthumously
2014 | Heather Von St. James
2014 | Lou Williams
2013 | Rob Cagle
2013 | Mavis Nye
2012 | Debbie Brewer
2012 | Larry Davis
2011 | Julie Gundlach
2010 | June Briet, honored posthumously
2009 | Dominick Marzicola, honored posthumously
2008 | John McNamara, honored posthumously
2007 | Les Skramstad, honored posthumously

The Andrew Schneider Memorial Lecturers

2024 | Patrick J. Morrison, International Association of Fire Fighters
2023 | Kathleen McGrory
2022 | David Boraks
2021 | Wendy Ruderman
2019 | David McCumber
2018 | Chris Graham & Michael Gillard

Keynote Speakers

2024 | Patrick J. Morrison, International Association of Fire Fighters
2021 | Rebecca L. Reindel, MS, MPH
2021 | Julie Gundlach
2019 | Dr. David Michaels
2019 | Dr. Richard Lemen, Dr. Barry Castleman, and Marilyn Amento
2018 | Patrick J. Morrison
2018 | Pat Martin
2017 | David McCumber
2017 | Jordan Zevon
2016 | Paul Brodeur
2016 | Dr. Eudice Goldberg
2015 | Dr. Jorma Rantanen
2015 | Sue Vento
2014 | Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak
2013 | Dr. Aubrey Miller
2012 | Matt Peacock
2011 | Dr. Linda Rae Murray
2010 | Jordan Barab
2009 | Andrew Schneider
2008 | Terry Lynch
2007 | Dr. Peter Orris
2006 | Paul Brodeur